Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkvision
Oh and another thing, how can I expect my biceps or triceps to grow if I'm not doing any exercises to stimulate that muscle group? My arms remained totally skinny throughout SS, only recently did my arms get bigger when I started doing barbell curls and tricep exercises.
Just popped into my head as I'm reading mark's book.
hehe reading on..
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Biceps and triceps isolation exercises suck for adding serious mass to your arms, IMO. They best compliment the heavy compound movements. Presses are great for adding size to your triceps. Pull ups and rows are great for adding size to your biceps. When doing SS, you really don't need to do much in the way of accessory stuff like that.
If your form is bad, you will still get somewhat stronger. There is a specific form for each exercise for a reason. Bad form puts added stress on areas where it does not belong. As you get stronger and add more weight, the stress grows and eventually you will get hurt. Something will break or tear or pop or snap.
So what should you do? Focus on good form. One of the hardest things that I have had to overcome is developing good mind-muscle connections. I think it is hard as hell to have good form if you can't feel the muscle that you're trying to work when you're lifting. Can you feel the muscles that you are targeting when you're doing a specific lift?
And back to the whole diet thing. That's the most important part. Are you getting enough calories? Specifically protein? From what you said, you eat somewhat clean. But it's got as much (or more) to do with quantity than quality. Post your diet.
Oh, and the BEST indicator of gaining muscle is this: an increase in strength. If you are getting stronger, then you are getting bigger.